CIA Releases Recruitment Video Targeting Chinese Military Amid Purge

 

CIA Releases Recruitment Video Targeting Chinese Military Amid Purge

 

The video, released after purges of top Chinese military officials, frames espionage as protecting families from 'madmen' leaders.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) uploaded a video to YouTube recruiting spies among Chinese military officers.

 

  https://youtu.be/KEYOBbYUB7s?si=KthI8IKTlwrfYCiC

 

 

The video, released two weeks after the purge of Chinese military powerbrokers Zhang Youxia (張又俠) and Liu Zhenli (劉振立), has sparked analysis that the U.S. is exploiting political fallout in China for recruitment.

 

According to Reuters and other outlets on the 12th, the CIA posted a Chinese-language video titled “The Reason to Step Forward: To Save the Future” on its official YouTube account. The 1 minute and 30 seconds video depicts an officer feeling disillusioned after attending a military meeting. He watches a TV broadcast glorifying the People’s Liberation Army with his wife and young daughter at home, then appears to resolve to take classified materials and leave. Driving through rain, the officer passes a checkpoint, parks in a secluded area, and ends the video by contacting the CIA.

 

The video’s narration states, “The truth becomes clearer every day. What leaders are truly protecting is their own selfish interests. Their power is built on countless lies,” adding, “Anyone with leadership is targeted and ruthlessly eliminated. I cannot let these madmen shape my daughter’s future.” It emphasizes, “Choosing this path is how I fight for my family and country,” framing espionage as not betraying the nation.

 

The post’s caption urges, “If you possess information on China’s high-level leadership or work in military, intelligence, diplomacy, economy, or advanced technology, contact us,” providing CIA dark web addresses. An anonymous source from the CIA told the outlet, “Our previous videos reached millions and attracted new sources,” expressing confidence the video would bypass Chinese censorship.

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) releases Chinese spy recruitment video. / YouTube

 

The outlet highlighted the video’s timing amid Chinese President Xi Jinping’s purge of top military officials, calling it an attempt to exploit political turmoil from Beijing’s anti-corruption campaign. Earlier, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense confirmed on the 24th of last month that Zhang Youxia, a Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Liu Zhenli, a former deputy chief of the Joint Chief of Staff, were under investigation for “serious disciplinary and legal violations.” This is seen as consolidating Xi’s one-man rule.

 

The CIA previously posted a similar recruitment video targeting Chinese officials in May last year. CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated in a statement that efforts to recruit sources within the Chinese government and military would continue.

 

Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized his good relationship with Xi. When asked if he would visit China in the first week of April, President Trump said, “Yes. I will visit China in April, and I look forward to it. He will also visit here at the end of the year, which I am very much looking forward to.” He added, “Our relationship with China is very good now, and my relationship with President Xi is also very good.”

 

However, Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post noted, “The CIA’s recruitment video could sour the atmosphere ahead of the upcoming U.S.-China summit in April.”